Last Thursday, Nov. 2, the Grand Valley State University student senate voted in favor of a fall break proposal, which was presented to the University Academic Senate Executive Board Friday, Nov. 3. Jonathan Bowman, president of student senate, is currently in discussion with faculty and administration on the proposed calendar changes.

Arthur Vandenberg was a Republican senator from Grand Rapids who worked through differences in views to help create the United Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and other important pieces of foreign policy legislation. To offer more perspective on this, Hank Meijer, co-chairman and CEO of Meijer, wrote a biography about the life and career of Vandenberg. Meijer was recently at Grand Valley State University to speak about the book.

After hearing about the possibility of a fall break at Grand Valley State University, students may be wondering if any action has been taken and whether they can look forward to a fall breather next academic year. Student senate gathered for its general assembly Thursday, Nov. 2, to discuss whether or not the university should make room for a fall break in the calendar, how long the break would last and when it might go into effect.

At Grand Valley State University, civic engagement is valued as a core way for students to make a positive impact on their communities, and some even go a step further by running for local office.
GVSU alumna Melanie Grooters, for example, is running for a seat on the Walker City Commission Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Technology is accelerating at a pace that creates new opportunities in the field of health. This comes with its own set of ethical questions and financial challenges. The Health Forum of West Michigan will discuss some of these questions, focusing particularly on human genetics.

President Donald Trump declared the U.S. opioid crisis a public health emergency Thursday, Oct 26. This declaration has sparked various reactions from those who deal with the opioid crisis on a daily basis.

A long-time advocate for political engagement, Justin Noordhoek (‘08), a Grand Valley State University graduate and graduate student, is hoping to make a positive impact on the local community by running for the Grandville City Council Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Applying to college is an overwhelming process for many high school students who may feel intimidated by the heavier workload, financial questions and the decision of where to enroll. By recently opening the Pathways to College Office under the Division of Inclusion and Equity, Grand Valley State University hopes to expand its pre-college programs to provide guidance for middle and high schools throughout the state of Michigan.